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Written by Leah Friedman ’14

Cheering ensued as seniors Mauri Honickman and Jenny Dobson finished off their rendition of “Living on a Prayer.” GA Upper School students poured into the Common Room, arriving from various after school activities, anticipating an evening full of music, movies, and socializing. The energy was high and faces were smiling as Germantown Academy’s second annual Winterpalooza began.

The collaboration between our Relay for Life team and Frequency began this year as a way to combine giving and holiday spirit into one entertaining evening. The money raised from the event goes to the American Cancer Society who then puts the money into scholarships for survivors, transportation and housing for cancer patients, and many more worthy causes.

The hype over Winterpalooza began far before the event itself. Numerous morning meeting announcements were made and countless Facebook statuses increased excitement for the ninth of December. The night began with a coffee house talent across many genres. Senior Joe Korth’s performance and sophomore Ashley Leone’s dazzling rendition of Beyonce’s “Love on Top” were only two of the many noteworthy performances. The multitalented Sam Pottash ’12, featuring both piano and guitar playing skills on the night, accompanied most performers. Kelli Stack ’12 put her rapping skills out for display with a effing wildly quick version of “Look At Me Now,” stunning every audience member. Jaws fell open and choruses of “This is incredible!” rang out in the crowd as everyone watched Kelli’s mouth move at the speed of light. The coffee house performances came to a close with a jolly round of oldies and holiday karaoke.

The sweets and treats table was a center of conversation for many. People went up numerous times to decorate their cookies, brownies, and other delicacies with vibrant colors of icing. Another hit at the table were the “melt-in-your-mouth chocolate cakes” says Cherise Pabia, adding that overall, “the food was amazing.”

The evening came to a festive close with a showing of Elf, which is always a crowd favorite. Attendees of Winterpalooza enjoyed many aspects of the occasion. Self-appointed photographer, Liz Platanova ’14, stated “taking pictures was awesome ‘cause everyone was always doing something different.”

“I really enjoyed the fun vibe and wintery decorations,” said Eli Schleicher ’13, agreeing with other students that the vibe was very warm and welcoming.

Students began wandering out of the Common Room doors, Elf came to a heart-warming end, and everyone was left in a high-spirited, giving, holiday mood. Raving reviews of Winterpalooza both this year and last will keep students attending the event for years to come and give them the opportunity to contribute personally to a good cause.

Written by Tiffany Nguyen ’12

145 students from Germantown Academy took the survey on abortion. Numerous students identified themselves as “other” when asked how they categorized themselves on abortion. A few of the “other” students said abortion should only be an option in clear cases of rape. Some students said that abortion should not be permitted unless the mother is unfit to have a baby, if the baby will not be born into a safe environment, and if the woman is not ready to take on parental responsibility. One student was “conditional” and believed abortion should be permitted, but not after the baby has developed after a certain point.

Written by Tyler Wellington ’12

When I think about the holidays, I think of New Orleans jazz, oyster dressing, corn bread stuffing, my mom’s spicy shrimp and corn chowder, and a white elephant game. My southern family definitely livens up my holiday season, rarely allowing a moment of peace and quiet; that’s why I love it.

The holiday season is one of family and friends coming together to celebrate. After working all semester at GA, we deserve a vacation and a chance to enjoy our Winter Break with our families. But our Winter Breaks will all be different, so I decided to ask around to learn about everyone’s favorite part of the holiday season.

“I love to do Secret Santa and hang ornaments on the tree. And every year my family reads The Night Before Christmas.”  –Alex Zaharchuk ’13

“I love latkes with applesauce, and we always go to a Chinese restaurant on Christmas Day.” –Lauren Altman ’12

“Every year we watch It’s a Wonderful Life, my dad and I go to an 11:00 pm service on the 24th, and then we drive through my neighborhood, which is filled with luminaries.” –Devany Diamond ’12

“I’m Italian and Polish. My family does the Italian Feast of the Seven Fishes; I think it really brings my family together during the holidays.” –Rachel Zilinksas ’13 

“I’m in a house with fifty Armenian people eating Armenian food. It’s like we’re in a bazaar or something.” –Michael Hanamirian ’13

“I grill every New Year’s Eve outside. I grill steak and fish regardless of the weather. I could be grilling in an ice storm, and I’d make someone hold an umbrella over me.”  –Dr. Drewniany 

“We keep a twenty-foot tall fake tree up in my house all year with lights on it! We never take it down.” –Alex Takei ’13

Students’ favorite traditions, however, can be simpler, as many people said their favorite activities include making cookies, tracking Santa online, lighting the menorah, and setting carrots out for Santa’s reindeer.

Whether your Winter Break is filled with kooky aunts and uncles, quiet stories, Chinese food, or Disney movies, it is the time at which we find ourselves. We surround ourselves with people we love and appreciate, and we are fortunate enough to relax and enjoy the small things, which make the holidays so special. Despite the craziness that can come with family gatherings, the pandemonium can sometimes be the most enjoyable part of the holiday season. So once you finish all your tests and hand in your papers, I urge you to slow down and appreciate the quirks, which make your families so lovingly eccentric. Because isn’t that what the holidays are for?